Kochi, India – Seven-year-old Adhisheshan, affectionately called Pikku, has captured the hearts of Malayali audiences with his captivating performance in the recent film Balan: The Boy. Directed by Chidambaram (Manjummel Boys), the film features the child actor in the titular role—a boy born in prison and raised by criminals. His natural screen presence, precision of expression, and ability to convey complex emotions have earned him widespread acclaim. In an interview, Adhisheshan and his acting trainer, Ajithlal Sivalal, offered a glimpse into the playful yet meticulous preparation that went into crafting this memorable performance.
Working with a child actor requires a unique approach, as Ajithlal explained. “We cannot use jargon as we do with adult actors. So, we played games and did a lot of singing, sometimes in gibberish. The mood was always playful.” Ajithlal emphasized creating a safe and nurturing environment, prioritizing the child’s mental health. Exercises focused on activating imagination through sensorial prompts, like the smell of hot biryani or an ant bite, which helped Adhisheshan deliver truthful reactions. The trainer noted that the boy’s natural flair for spontaneity was key to his success, and the six-month preparation period helped him build a craft that would enable him to deliver the filmmaker’s creative requirements on set.
Adhisheshan shared some memorable moments from the shoot, including a genuinely scary scene with actor Farzana Palathingal. “Farzana chechi was very scary. It came as a surprise to me. I responded in a way I genuinely felt,” he recalled. His character, Balan, experiences a range of emotions—from playfulness to cleverness to spookiness—and the actor approached even the grim realities with a playful mindset. When asked about his favorite actors, he chirpily listed Tovino, Mohanlal, Mammootty, and, looking at his toy collection, Spider-Man. With Balan: The Boy now streaming on ZEE5, Adhisheshan’s performance stands as a testament to the power of imaginative and child-centric filmmaking.
